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We’re excited to share that OpenWater has been awarded the “Best for Customization” distinction by Software Advice in the Best Grant Management Software of 2026. For a platform built to serve organizations managing awards, grants, scholarships, fellowships, and competitive review processes of every shape and size, this recognition validates what our clients experience every day: OpenWater is built to flex around your program - not the other way around.
This comes as no surprise since OpenWater has earned an impressive overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on over 70+ verified user reviews.
What the “Best for Customization” distinction means
We’re excited to share that OpenWater has been awarded the “Best for Customization” distinction by Software Advice in the Best Grant Management Software of 2026. For a platform built to serve organizations managing awards, grants, scholarships, fellowships, and competitive review processes of every shape and size, this recognition validates what our clients experience every day: OpenWater is built to flex around your program - not the other way around.
This comes as no surprise since OpenWater has earned an impressive overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on over 70+ verified user reviews.
What the “Best for Customization” distinction means
Software Advice’s distinctions are determined through independent, objective research — not advertising spend or client status. The “Best for Customization” distinction is awarded based on verified user review data collected over a 24-month period, with ratings weighted for both the volume and recency of reviews. To qualify, a product must have a minimum of 10 reviews mentioning customization as a theme, with at least 75% of those reviews reflecting positive sentiment.
OpenWater earned this distinction because our users — real program administrators at associations, foundations, universities, and nonprofits — consistently called out our platform’s ability to adapt to complex, one-of-a-kind workflows. That’s the kind of recognition that matters most to us.
Built to fit your program, not force your program to fit
Our users chose us because no two grant or awards programs are the same — and OpenWater was designed with that reality in mind. Whether an organization is running a straightforward scholarship cycle or a multi-stage, multi-reviewer grant program with complex eligibility rules, our platform adapts to the workflow rather than constraining it.
Reviewers highlight how OpenWater’s intuitive admin tools make it possible to configure application forms, judging criteria, review stages, and reporting dashboards to match their exact requirements — without needing a developer. And when unique challenges arise, our support team is actively involved in helping clients build the right solution, not just pointing to documentation.
Here’s a further look at what our users have to say about their experience with us
“I have been using OpenWater for more than 5 years and I always recommend it when I have a chance. During these 5 years, I have never felt it has under performed, even when our program keeps growing. Its vast arsenal of tools also lets you enhance your program each year or build-in new features. I like this because open water can support you in doing your job better. I also want to highlight their customer support. It is super reliable. They are always there when you need them.”
[Source: Software Advice]
“OpenWater has been a huge timesaver for our team! We used to have manual spreadsheets and scanning of documents, and now everything is in one place! Another pro is the ease of use for judges! Judges are now able to enter all of their scores and we can use OpenWater to calculate and weigh things as needed versus having to do all of this manually before!”
[Source: Software Advice]
“Our organization desperately needed help organizing and streamlining our application and job board processes. OpenWater hosts almost all of our programs on it's platforms. It allows us to receive applications, build the job board, send emails, organize participant information, and even lets us pull reports that we use for metrics/data needs.”
[Source: Software Advice]
About
An integral part of Advanced Solutions International’s suite of constituent engagement solutions, OpenWater streamlines program management with its end-to-end solution for accepting and reviewing applications, awards, grants, scholarships, proposals, and abstracts. OpenWater’s secure, all-in-one platform makes navigating the review process easy through its user-friendly features. Empower your program administrators by automating time consuming administrative tasks, collecting high volume submissions, and driving data-proven decisions through custom reporting and analytics. Learn more at openwater.com.
Disclaimer: Software Advice’s independent and objective insights help software buyers evaluate which systems are most appropriate for their needs. Learn more.
